Episcopal networks in late antiquity : connection and communication across boundaries / edited by Carmen Angela Cvetković and Peter Gemeinhardt.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Cvetković, Carmen Angela, editor.

Gemeinhardt, Peter, 1970- editor.

Rosengarten Family Fund.

Series:

Arbeiten zur Kirchengeschichte ; 137.

Arbeiten zur Kirchengeschichte ; Volume 137

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Church history--Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600.

Church history.

Church history--Primitive and early church.

Episcopacy.

Physical Description:

vi, 365 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Berlin : Walter de Gruyter GmbH, [2019]

Summary:

Recent studies on the development of early Christianity emphasize the fragmentation of the late ancient world while paying less attention to a distinctive feature of the Christianity of this time which is its inter-connectivity. Both local and trans-regional networks of interaction contributed to the expansion of Christianity in this age of fragmentation. This volume investigates a specific aspect of this inter-connectivity in the area of the Mediterranean by focusing on the formation and operation of episcopal networks. The rise of the bishop as a major figure of authority resulted in an increase in long-distance communication among church elites coming from different geographical areas and belonging to distinct ecclesiastical and theological traditions. Locally, the bishops in their roles as teachers, defenders of faith, patrons etc. were expected to interact with individuals of diverse social background who formed their congregations and with secular authorities. Consequently, this volume explores the nature and quality of various types of episcopal relationships in Late Antiquity attempting to understand how they were established, cultivated and put to use across cultural, linguistic, social and geographical boundaries.

Contents:

Part 1: The ties that bind. Episcopal nepotism in the later Roman empire (c. 350-450) / Volker Menze

A new approach to Ambrose of Milan's kingship / Ariane Bodin

Influential friends? Augustine's Episcopal networks / Gillian Clark

The authority of a "quasi-bishop" : patronage and networks in the letters of Isidore of Pelusium / Madalina Toca, Johan Leemans

Patronage networks in the Festal Letters of Athanasius of Alexandria / David M. Gwynn

Bishops as religious mentors : spiritual education and pastoral care / Peter Gemeinhardt

Crossing the boundaries : networks and manifestations of Christian hospitality / Sigrid Mratschek

Niceta of Remesiana's visits to Nola : between sacred travel and political mission / Carmen Angela Cvetković

Part 2: Episcopal networks in context. The impact of the Laurentian schism on Ennodius of Pavia's participation in Episcopal networks / Daniel K. Knox

Building and breaking episcopal networks in late antique Hispania / Jamie Wood

Macedonius, Constantius and the changing dynamics of power / Erika Manders

Caring for African confessors in exile : the ministry of Numeria and Candida during the Decian persecution (Cyprian, Epistulae 21-22) / Jakob Engbert

The impact of geographical and administrative boundaries on late antique bishops / Daniëlle Slootjes

Bishops and mission beyond the frontiers : from Gothia to Nubia / Andrea Sterk.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Rosengarten Family Fund.

ISBN:

9783110551884

3110551888

OCLC:

1089210900